The Fifth Woe
With their own hands the Babylonians made images out of metal and wood which they overlaid with gold and silver. They worshipped these images as gods, trusting and relying upon them to be their guides (Habakkuk 2:18–19). These idols were unable to instruct them in knowing the truth because they were unable to talk or breathe (Habakkuk 2:18–19). Despite their lifelessness the Babylonians called upon the idols to awake and arise as if they had the ability to give them guidance (Habakkuk 2:19). In contrast to their lifeless idols, God is more superior because he is alive and all-powerful. Idol worshippers command their idols to save them but those who worship God in his holy temple come to him in silent awe, trusting in him to save them (Habakkuk 2:20). The Babylonians were to realize that God is greater than their idols which do not have the power to help them. Lifeless idols would not protect them from the judgment of God.
18 “What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!